Karate: Parts of the Body 1

Parts of the Body

Here are the terms used for the parts of the body which are frequently used in karate. Learn it by heart and with the help of the accompanying illustrations.

Seiken

This part of the fist is probably the most often used for attacks, so it should be utilized properly. Consider this-if your punch strong, it means that you are using your hand; you may turn your body to add some power from your back and hip muscles. You may also step forward to add speed to your body which is moving towards the target. If your wrist is weak, all this power will twist it, instead of going into the target. It is a common trauma.

To close the fist properly, start from the baby finger, then ring finger, and so on;the thumb is the last. The thumb should be on the side of the fist (approximately on top of the middle finger), NOT on top of the fist, covering the pointing finger. Beginners often get traumas when this rule is neglected.

The area used for the punch (the seiken) is circled in the following picture. It includes the knuckles the pointing and middle fingers.

Note that I am only listing the parts of the body here. Later, when I discuss particular techniques techniques, I will talk about additional details, such as concentration and relaxation, keeping the wrist aligned with the fist, and so on.

Uraken

The same part of the fist as above (the knuckles of the pointing fingers) is used in the ura punch. Ura means ''back or ''reversed''. You will see this term as part of many names in karate techniques.

Shuto

This part of the body is used both for blocks and attacks.

It is very important to know that the area you are supposed to use is NOT exactly the side of the palm, but slightly near the center of the palm. If you will feel the bone that connects your baby finger to the wrist. This bone is not protected by the muscles and can easily be broken if you try to use it. Now, move your finger half an inch towards the center of the palm. There you have a large muscle that will protect your bones, allowing you (practice required) to break objects and to block the hands or even the of your opponent.

Enhon Nukite

In this technique, we use the tips of the fingers. It is employed for ''paralyzing'' punches on soft tissues, like the muscles. Note that there are sensitive muscles in many ''bony'' areas; for example between the ribs and on the neck. Also, the technique can be used to attack the face. It is very dangerous if on the eye area. Thus, during competitions, its use is usually forbidden.

As with seiken, the thumb must be pressing against the center of the palm. NOT on top of it (not parallel with the other fingers). Otherwise, it can easily be damaged.

Karate: Parts of the Body 3

Tetsui

This is called ''the hammer''. For this technique, use the bottom part of the fist.

Koken

Close your hand as if you want to pick  up a small amount of salt or sand. Bend your wrist inwardly, as far as it normally bends. In this position, the hand become tense. The outside part of the wrist (where you would normally wear your wrist-watch) is used for blocks or for powerful ''breaking'' attacks.

Oyaubi Ken

The fist is closed with the end of the thumb pushing against the second knuckle of the pointing finger (from the inside). For the strike, the first knuckle of the thumb is used. This technique is very dangerous when used on the temple;so, it is forbidden to be used during competitions.

Keiko

Close your hand as if you want to pick up a small amount of salt or sand. The punch is delivered by the tip of the fingers. It can be either very fast, to produce a shock (as with attacking the face or the back of the hand); or (not very often) powerful, to penetrate the sensitive areas with soft tissues.

Haito

It is sometimes called ura shuto. The fingers are closed together, as in shuto, with thumb pressing against the middle part of the palm. The muscles between the thumb and the pointing finger are used for the strike.

Karate: Parts of the Body 2

Ipon Nukite

The use of this technique is the same as above. The technique is efficient for precise attacks against the ''vulnerable points''. It should be noted that as karate students are developing very strong muscles, their ''vulnerable points'' become less ''vulnerable,'' or at least most of them. Similarly, you will not see this technique very often in competitions.

Nihon Nukite

The pointing and middle fingers are used together. For this technique, it is especially important to make the hand ''solid,'' at least at the moment of contact.

Hiraken

You can use the second knuckles or a part of the palm (circled) to deliver a strike. The first form can be used both on soft tissues and (not that often) on the ribs. The second form is used for blocks and to deliver powerful ''shocking'' or ''breaking'' punches.

Haishu

The back of the hand is used both for blocks and attacks (as with the circular punch on the side of the head).

Shotei

This is the inside part of the palm, closer to the wrist. It is used for blocks and for attacks (as with the circular punch on the side of the head).

Karate: Parts of the Body 5

Nakajubi Ipon Ken


The second knuckle of the middle finger is used here. The thumb (the fingerprint area) presses against the first knuckle of the middle finger, creating the necessary support.

Usually, it is applied to the muscles of  an opponent; but it can also be used to break things as well. For this reason, it should not be used in karate class or at competitions, especially in the head (temple) area.

Hitosashi Ubi Ipon Ken










It employs as the same idea as above, but the pointing finger used here.


Hiji

This is the elbow area. Please note that the joint area of the elbow is very sensitive, so it can only be used for attacks on the soft areas, such as abdomen muscles. For ''breaking'' types of strikes, the next-to-elbow parts are used, where the bones can be conditioned and the muscles are shielding the bone.

Sune

This is the part of the leg which is used for blocks and attacks. It can conditioned to become much less sensitive to pain.

Chesoku

The toes are bent as far back as possible (practice helps). The area that is used for the strike is the part of the foot under the toes.

Haisoku

This is used for blocks and attacks. In many karate schools, you cannot use chesoku for kicks in the head (for safety reasons); thus, haisoku is used. Also, it is ideal when you don't have much room for movement, as the haisoku is aligned with the sune. So if your opponent is too close for you to kick with the foot, you can always use the sune area instead.

When you need to give a quick kick, this technique will give you some advantage, too.

Karate: Parts of the Body 4

Toho

The four fingers form a part of a semi-circle, while the thumb forms the other part of it. The area between the thumb and the pointing finger is used for the strike, usually in the throat area.

Kote

This is the part of the arm, on the side of the baby finger. It is used for blocks and sometimes for attacks. For this technique, as with the many others, the muscle is used rather than the bone.

When you use this area of your body for the first time, you feel pain. You also get bruises and bumps on the soft tissues of your arm. As time passes, your arm will become conditioned; so you will be able to block hands, legs, and even kicks without unpleasant side effects.

Hira Kote

The back of the arm is used for blocks attacks.

Ura Kote

This is the inside part of the arm. It is used blocks and sometimes for attacks.

Omote Kote

This is the part of arm on the side of the thumb. It used for blocks and attacks.

Karate: Parts of the Body 6

Sokuto

The foot is bent sideways to expose the side, between the heel and baby toe. The four toes are bent down, while the big toe is bent up. This position requires maximum concentration.

Kakato

This is the heel. To reduce the risk of traumas on this area, the angle of the foot should be as sharp as possible. Use your muscles to pull the toes towards the knee. There are some ligaments that go from the heel up. DO NOT USE THEM to deliver an attack. It will only cause you a lot of pain; and besides, it will not stop your opponent. Instead, use the heel itself. This part of your body is naturally conditioned, as we are always walking on it.

Teisoku

This area is used for blocks and trips. Keep in mind that when this is performed with enough power, the block can be considered an attack.

Hiza

This is the knee. As with the kakato, the angle should be as sharp as possible to make the kneecap solid. Still, the knee cap area can ONLY be used to attack abdominal muscles, as they are soft. If you want to attack, for example the opponent's forehead (assuming, he bends down), then you should use the area ABOVE the kneecap. You will not create any damage there, if you do.

Atama

The head can be used for blocks and for attacks, too. However, it is very important to know exactly which areas to use and how to concentrate. This technique can be learned by the book in its basic form (head to face attack on occasion in close range fights). But if you want to learn how to break wood with your head, you should find a teacher who will teach you how to do it properly.

Tsumasaku

The tips of the toes are used for attacks. However, due to the rate of difficulty in learning this technique, it is not recommended for beginners.

Parts of the Body in Karate

Karate: Stands Part 2

Kokutsu Dachi

This is normally a defensive position; but, of course, there are expectations. Seventy percent of the weight is on the back foot. As in most positions, the feet are shoulderwidth apart, with back foot turned outward, forming 45 degrees.

Now, let's talk about the ''shoulder width apart''  part. In many karate schools, this is not so. In these schools, one will see the front and back feet on the same line with projection of the center of gravity. Through this blog, we use a different approach.

This is due to the fact that when your feet are sliding by these invisible lines, you are slightly less fast but a lot more stable. If your feet were on the same line with the center of gravity, then to step forward, you would have to move through the position where both feet are together. What a wonderful opportunity to attack you with the trip!.

Karate: Stands Part 1

After memorizing the different terminologies for the body parts, you are now ready to learn some karate stands. By stands, we refer to the legs and how they should be at various times. Here they are.

Zenkutsu Dachi

To get into this position, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel. Turn the back foot 45 degrees outwards. This is an important position, as it provides a way for you to move deep forward with an attacks or a block. While in this position, apply a few ''checks'' on yourself.

Put the knee of the back foot down on the floor. It should be shoulder-width to the side and two fists behind the hell of the front foot. When in zenkutsu dachi, the projection of your front knee on the ground should never go farther than the middle of your front foot. Otherwise, you have no strength in the forward direction. This means your opponent can pull you forward and you will surely fall. Also, it will take more time for you to move back if your opponent launches an attack.

The knee joint of the back foot must be straight or almost straight, the muscles tense. It should be (ideally) possible for you to stay on your opponent (or someone from behind) pushes your knee joint down.

Seventy percent of your body weight should rest on your front foot, while 30% on your back foot.

Karate: Stands Part 3

Neko Ashi Dachi

Literally, neko means ''cat'', ashi means ''legs'', and dachi means ''position''. However, the phrase refers more to the mental readiness of a cat to attack or retreat, than about a cat's physical posture.

Here, the front foot is touching the ground with the chesoku area, ready to lunch a kick or to push against the floor if you need to jump back. Moreover, the feet are on the line, not shoulderwidth apart, as in most positions.

Kiba Dachi


It is commonly known as the ''horse rider''. Here, the feet are wide apart, parallel to each other. The knees are bent while the hips are slightly forward; so that, ideally, the hips and the knees are in the same vertical plane.

The most common mistake of beginners is to ''sit'' in this posture, moving the hips back, as if there is a chair behind you. To compensate for the weight they are holding, they tend to bend forward, arriving at the funny and unstable posture. The back should be straight and vertical.

Kake Dachi

This stand is used to move sideways. It often used as a preparation stage for the kicks both to the side (with any leg) and forward (with the front leg).

Karate: Breathing

All athletes will attest to the fact that correct breathing is important in any sport. Thus, as a budding karate enthusiast, you should know this piece of information.

Ibuki

There are several ways of performing this technique, for example in san chin dachi. Here, we will consider the classical way. When the hands go up to cross in front of the chest, breathe in; and then as they go down (straight or making a small circle), exhale.

During the breathing out, ALL muscles are at maximum tension. When performed with san chin dachi, do the short inhalation together with the step (from the left san chin dachi to the right and vice versa), while the breathing out should be done while powerful muscle contraction is performed as you are ''settling down'' into the position, after the step.

Nogare Gai


Move the hands up in circular motion, slightly stretching your body, while breathing in. Move them staight down in front of your body, with the palms down, as if you are pushing something down, with the abdominal muscles tense (not as tense as with the ibuki), while breathing out.

Nogare Sho

Breathing in as you move your hands close to the armpits, with the palms facing up. At the end of your breath, throw your hands forward. Then breathe out as you bring your hands down, with the palms facing down, in a circle. No tension should be present in your exhalation or in your muscles.

Karate: Positions

Now, you must know the various hand positions used in karate. It is an important skill to acquire because, in karate, the hands are always being used.

Enshin

The open hands (shuto-like) are used instead of the fists, which are usually used in kumite.

Morote

The fists are on the central line, so that the opponent's fist cannot squeeze in-between. The hands are on the same line or almost on the same line.

Ruhen

One hand is on top of another. Very often, this position is used to confused an opponent. For example, the hands can rotate, so that the upper hand goes down and vice versa. This kind of hand movement is also efficient in a close fight, where hands do not have a lot of sped and can easily be trapped.

Birin

One hand is forming a ''spree'', while the other is covering the elbow from below. You often see this when people change from one position to another.

Maeba

The hands are open, and the over-all motion is forward. It can used to push back an opponent (or his leg doing the jodan mavashi geri).

Karate: Hand Techniques Part 1

Before we study the different hand techniques employed in attacking an opponent, let me first introduce some important terminologies.

Attacks

If you are already comfortable and confident in doing the stands, positions, and correct breathing in karate, then it is time for you to try the various hand techniques used for attacks. They are as follows:

Chudan stands for the area from the belt up to the throat. The jodan area covers the neck ans the head. The gedan area is everything below the belt.

There are areas above the head, or which are far below the belt are; however, in most schools, they are usually ignored and are considered to be a part of either jodan or gedan.

Migi and hidari means ''right'' and ''left'', correspondingly.

Seiken Chudan Tsuki

This is a very important technique. Thus, we are going to explain some vital theoretical points using it as an example.

First of all, various schools have different ideas about this technique, such as how your body should move to help the punch to be fast and strong. In the Kyokushin, we end up with the shoulders turned 45 degrees, so that the twist of the body increases the speed of the hand.
But this only works if the two motions are performed in synch. If you, for example, move your shoulders ahead of your hand, then your opponent will get the message. He likely to say this to himself, ''His shoulders are moving; looks like he is getting ready to punch. I better do something.'' As  much as you can, avoid communicating your intentions to your opponent.

Be careful when performing this technique because if you turn your shoulders more than 45 degrees, you will incur the following: a) injure your back sooner or later; b) spend too much energy; c) loose your speed; d) make your back vulnerable to counter-attack. Also, if the hips are  turning, it would look more like a slap, thrown on impulse to provide additional speed.

Furthermore, keep in mind that if you use this  technique while on a very limited space, there will be no room for the hips and the shoulders to perform the ''classics'', Fortunately, this technique is adjustable.

First of all, the fist must be properly closed. The hand should be almost relaxed, until at the last moment, when it is touching the target. Then it should be completely tense, with all your focus on the target. Or if you are performing a ''breaking '' punch, your focus must be behind the target. Thus, you often hear the saying that if you are hitting the chest, you should aim for the backbone.

The outer side of the palm and the wrist must be on a straight line. Imagine the line that goes through the seiken (knuckles of the pointing and the middle fingers), the wrist, and the elbow. This is the line you should create, not zigzag one. Otherwise, you will injure your wrist, using all the power of your hand, hips, plus the body weight.

The fist begins its motion from the place almost under the armpit, at the height of the nipple. This is different from many traditional schools, as they start from the hip level.

The fist rotates. At the beginning, it is with the palm up. At the, it is with the palm down. It. should screw itself into the target. It will help your elbow to unbend, plus the energy of the punch will increase.

However, the elbow should not unbend completely. It must be only slightly bent, to prevent injury. Imagine, if your elbow is straight and your opponent suddenly blocks it or hit, if your elbow is bent, it will not be that easy to damage it, and your opponent will think twice before hitting it.

Your elbows must point down. If they point sideways, your punch will be less powerful and your armpits will be open for an attack.

Meanwhile, your other hand is performing a ''reverse''. That is, it is doing exactly the same move but in the opposite direction. At the end, it will be near the armpit, ready to lunch another punch. In the middle of the trajectory, both hands should face each other, palms facing inwards. This is often used to check the beginners for mistakes.

The fist should move on a straight line. It does not matter if your body is turning; your hands are moving and your hips are moving as well. If your hand is moving by the ''freehand trajectory'', you are doing something wrong. The line between your  fist, when still in the armpit, and the target, is the trajectory to follow.

Karate: Hand Techniques Part 3

Giaku Tsuki, Oe Tsuki

There are two ways of doing some techniques, such as this one. If you are in the position with your left (right) foot in front, and you punch with the same (left-left,-right) hand, it is called oe. Oe Tsuki, for example. If you are using the opposite hand (left position-right hand), it is called giaku.

Uraken Shomen Uchi

This technique allows you to perform very fast and very powerful punches. Fro you ready position, Turn your shoulders 45 degrees, to bring the fist to the central line, and extend the hand forward, towards the nose of your opponent. The fist should not spin; in the end, it must be facing with palm up.

There is an important moment with all ''uraken'' hand techniques. This is when the wrist bends, so that the fist goes at 90 degrees into the the target. The wrist bends towards the back side of the palm.

This move (the bending of the wrist) brings additional speed, and is very important. It should be performed at very end, right before the hand becomes ''solid'' to contact the target, making it look more like a slap.

Jodan Hidji Ate

The elbow moves in a circle. At the end of the move, your fist touches your chest at the opposite side.

Tetsui Oroshi Ganmen Uchi

The tetsui part of the fist is used here. The other details are the same as in uraken ganmen oroshi uchi

Karate: Hand Techniques Part 2

Seiken Jodan Tsuki

Everything that was said about the chudan tsuki applies in this technique, except for one little detail. If you are attacking the opponent's chin, can keep your fist aligned with the wrist. But what if you want to punch him in the forehead? Or in the nose? If you are attacking (with this particular technique) the area that cannot be approached from underneath, you may bend your wrist to keep the 90 degree angle between the knuckles and the target. Therefore, for a jodan tsuki, the wrist may be bent down; while for gedan tsuki, it should be up.

Note, however, that some people would keep their fist straight, and expect the opponent's head to adjust its position. Surprisingly, it works, too. Both techniques are called the same name; but obviously, they are different.

Tate Tsuki

This technique is faster than tsuki but is used just as frequently. If you watch kung fu movies, you will see it a lot. The attack begins from the less classical position. Pretend that you are doing push-ups. Close your fists and are doing it.

Here, the hand does not rotate. The palm is facing inwards, both at the beginning and at the end of the punch. Everything said about the shoulders and hips applies here as well, except in the case of the super-fast tate tsuki, when the body has no time to move all the way. Thus, it only sends a short impulse to the hand. Watch the movie ''Enter the Dragon'' to see how it works.

Karate: Blocks Part 1

After mastering the hand techniques, you must now learn how to perform blocks. The following ae some ways of doing them.

Seiken Chudan Soto Uke

Begin with your fist behind your head and the opposite hand covering your armpit, for the additional protection. As your body turns 45 degrees, the fist will draw a circle and spin, so that the palm is always turned towards your face. The elbow at the end should be vertical.

In Kyokushin, the block is a form of an attack; thus, you should consider ATTACKING your opponent's hand with your blocks, so they will be thrown off from their trajectory.

Soto means ''inside'', while uchi (see below) means ''outside''. In this case, the block is performed from the outside, towards the central line (soto).


Seiken Jodan Uke

The initial position is the same as for the tsuki. Raise your fist to the level of your eyes, keeping the elbow vertical (perpendicular to the ground). Then turn your fist, with your palm facing outwards. To do this, you will have to your elbow to the side,so that it is 45 degrees to the ground now, Finally, raise your hand, so that the wrist is on your central line, as high as the top of your head.

These are the elements of the move, of course. The technique, or any technique for that matter, is performed as a whole, and not as a loose sequence. The body should turn 45 degrees, the same way you did with tsuki. The opposite hand should perform the reverse movement.

This block is not supposed to stop the attack (the one coming from above,  for example). But rather, it serves to provide a 45-degree slope, so that the attack slide to the side, towards the elbow.

Karate: Blocks Part 2

Seiken Chudan Uchi Uke

This block is made from the inside to the outside part of the body. In the classical version, It starts with the fist ( or the wrist) in the opposite armpit. The wrist of the hand that is performing the block is sliding by the opposite hand from the armpit, to the elbow, and to the wrist all the while maintaining contact with each other. Then the hands separate one completes the block while the other performs the reverse movement. As in most of the technique presented in the blog, the shoulders are turning 45 degrees, while the hips are performing a whipsaw-like motion, to add speed to the technique.

Seiken Gedan Barai


This technique starts with the fist at the opposite side of the neck, below the ear. The opposite hand lies straight (as if you just performed tsuki). Then the hand that was straight performs the reverse movement, while the blocking hand goes forward and down (45 degrees) in a circle sliding by the other hand. Note that it is an ''aggressive'' block, pushing the opponent's hand or leg forward and down. To do it properly, it is very important to turn the shoulders 45 degrees.

I Keep repeating this mantra about the shoulders because based on my experience, ALL students keep on forgetting about it. So, I am going to repeat it as often as I can. Remember, do not bend forward. The back should remain vertical.

Shotei Chudan Coto Uke

This technique is much like the soto uke but performed with an open hand, rather than the fist. The part of the arm that is between the wrist and the elbow can be used, or you can just use the side of your palm, which will surely give your opponent additional shocking pain.

Note that the palm should turn, performing the scooping motion at the end. This increases the speed of the move and makes the palm ''solid'', preventing traumas.

Sune Uke

This is the block with your leg, mostly against the opponent's leg (it is possible to block a hand using this, but you won't see it very often). The knee is moving in a circle, from the outside to the inside, crossing the central line. If an opponent attacks your knee, for example, you don't have to raise your knee too high; but if an attack is directed towards a higher part of your body, your knee should go up, too. The sune uke can be used to closed the area from the ground up to your opponent's throat.

It is very important not to over-twist your body while doing this move. If you block an attack and then continue spinning, your back will be exposed to counter-attack. Practice returning immediately to the same position after you have done the block.

Keep the knee of your supporting leg slightly bent, and keep the foot on the ground. Don't go up on your toes. These are the most important rules, which are applicable to all techniques.